On Friday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) finished the week with the smallest of gains. The benchmark index rose 3.6 points to 7,068.8 points.
Will the market be able to build on this on Monday? Here are five things to watch:
ASX 200 expected to fall
The Australian share market looks set to open the week lower following a poor finish on Wall Street on Friday. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 18 points or 0.25% lower on Monday. In the United States, the Dow Jones was down 0.3%, the S&P 500 fell 0.2, and the NASDAQ edged 0.1% lower.
Oil prices mixed
ASX 200 energy shares including Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) will be on watch after a mixed session for oil prices on Friday night. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price was up 0.45% to US$90.03 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price was largely flat at US$93.27 a barrel. Demand fears offset Russian supply ban concerns.
Shares go ex-dividend
A number of ASX shares are going ex-dividend this morning and could trade lower. This includes New Zealand-based airport operator Auckland International Airport Limited (ASX: AIA) and toll road owner Atlas Arteria Group (ASX: ALX).
Gold price rises
ASX 200 gold shares Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a positive start to the week after the gold price rose on Friday night. According to CNBC, the spot gold price was up 0.3% to US$1,945.6 an ounce. A weaker US dollar boosted the precious metal.
Nickel Industries named as a buy
The Nickel Industries Ltd (ASX: NIC) share price could be good value according to analysts at Bell Potter. This morning, the broker has put a buy rating and $1.64 price target on the nickel producer's shares. It said: "[NIC] demonstrated it makes money through the cycle and we see significant potential earnings upside as market conditions improve."
